Korea's Ok Rae-yoon, Kang Ji-won join card for ONE Fight Night 23

Ok Rae-yoon, left, competes in a ONE match. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Three more matchups have been confirmed for ONE Fight Night 23: Buntan vs. Meksen on Prime Video, and the U.S. primetime card on July 5 is already shaping up to be a can’t-miss event.

First, former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Ok Rae-yoon hopes to earn another shot at the gold, but he’ll have to get past undefeated promotional newcomer Alibeg Rasulov at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ok utilized his refined boxing technique, vicious power, and elite fight IQ to take the lightweight MMA crown from Christian Lee back in September 2021, but he suffered a knockout loss in their World Title rematch.

Since then, the Korean has scored a dominant decision victory over American standout Lowen Tynanes, and he’s now hungry to yet again call himself a ONE World Champion.

Rasulov, though, will present a serious challenge.

Boasting a pristine 14-0 professional record, the 31-year-old Turkish sensation possesses top-notch skills in all areas and has done plenty on the ultra-tough European circuit to earn his spot on the global stage.

Before that, No. 1-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico “King of the North” Carrillo will square off with No. 4-ranked contender Saemapetch Fairtex in a clash that’s sure to captivate striking fans around the world.

Hailing from Scotland, the 25-year-old Carrillo has looked nothing short of dominant through three fights in ONE and has taken out Thai icons Muangthai PK Saenchai and former long-reigning divisional titleholder Nong-O Hama in his last two appearances.

On July 5, he hopes to secure another knockout against a Thai fan favorite and earn a shot at the divisional belt.

For his part, the 29-year-old Saemapetch has long been considered one of the country’s top talents, and he will come into this contest following a brutal, revenge-earning knockout against Mohamed Younes Rabah at ONE Fight Night 19.

Finally, in heavyweight MMA action, the hard-hitting “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji-won will collide with former ONE World Title challenger Kirill Grishenko.

Simply put, fans can expect fireworks for as long as this clash of titans lasts.

A terrifying puncher with a penchant for trading leather, Kang has earned all four of his ONE victories by way of highlight-reel knockout and is fresh off a devastating finish of Mikhail Jamal Abdul-Latif at ONE Fight Night 18.

Standing in his way is the 32-year-old Grishenko. After reeling off a pair of impressive victories to begin his ONE tenure, the Belarusian fell to current three-division MMA kingpin Anatoly “Sladky” Malykhin and BJJ legend Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida.

But with a strong showing against “Mighty Warrior,” Grishenko could potentially find himself once again vying for gold.

BY BEN COATE [kjdsports@joongang.co.kr]